Drunk drivers targeted

Alaska State Troopers plan to crack down on drunk drivers during the holiday season, beginning this Thanksgiving Day weekend.

The Thanksgiving holiday is considered one of the most active weekends of the year, according to trooper spokesperson Greg Wilkinson.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is often part of these celebrations, he said.

According to the Nat-ional Highway Safety Administration, the performance of drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 the legal limit in Alaska is 40 to 60 percent worse than that of drivers with no alcohol in their system.

"If you choose to drink, designate a sober driver so everyone can make it home alive," said Col. Julia Grimes, director of Alaska State Troopers.

"Troopers will be out in force over the weekend enforcing the speed, safety belt, child restraint and impeding laws, while keeping an eye out for drunk drivers," Grimes said in a printed statement.

"The goal is a safer holiday for everyone."

Last year, 59 highway collisions occurred in Alaska over the holiday enforcement period, and included one fatality.